Dr. Arlene Ash : Can Statistics Help Improve US Elections?

Posted by , part of the Statistics and Data Science Seminar.

At

Feb. 13, 2009, 2 p.m.

In

SEO 612

Abstract

US elections are very complicated, providing many opportunities for inadvertent and malicious errors. I will examine the statistical evidence regarding a "failed election" in Florida's 13th Congressional District in 2006 and discuss some lessons learned. I will discuss additional ways in which elections can be problematic and how statistics can be used to identify problems and explore solutions. Finally, I will describe work in progress with state election officials to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of post-election audits.